Rodney Hogg believes big-hitting Victorian batsman Glenn Maxwell has been flown over as a standby for Shaun Marsh, not opener Dave Warner.
Warner injured his neck yesterday while training with the Australian squad ahead of the first Ashes Test starting in Brisbane tomorrow morning, with Maxwell originally believed to have headed north in case Warner was unable to take to the field at the Gabba.
However Hogg has branded this as a “furphy”, stating that Maxwell has instead linked up with the Aussies as a cover for controversial number six selection Shaun Marsh, who he believes is in doubt to play due to a persistent back injury.
“You don’t send replacements up for Warner, Warner’s as tough old boots,” the former Australian Test fast bowler told SEN’s The Run Home.
“Glenn Maxwell is flying up and Cricket Australia have said that he’s on standby for Dave Warner. That’s absolute rubbish.
“He’s flying up there on standby for Marsh. Marsh’s back is not too good and that is why Maxwell is flying up.
“We always have a bit of a go at Marsh but he has been hampered by injury, a bad back. Hopefully he’s OK but it might open up an opportunity for Maxwell to come back in, make some runs and be in a spot we all thought he should have been.”
However Hogg says that Maxwell is by no means assured of a Test place, expressing that for now, he is simply on standby should the condition of Marsh’s back not improve before tomorrow.
“I don’t know how bad it is but it (the injury) has obviously been carried for a long time,” he said.
“A day out from a Test match, it must be of some concern to them, so they’ve obviously got (Maxwell) on standby if Marsh doesn’t come up.
“He’s on standby, that’s it. We’ll find out on the morning of the game (if he plays). I just know the reason why he has gone up there.”
Maxwell was originally in contention for Marsh’s number six spot but was overlooked in favour of the 34-year-old Western Australian, who will make his eighth return to the Test side should he be deemed fit to play tomorrow.